Guidelines for safe vessel operations in extreme cold conditions


Britannia P&I Club has prepared some essential guidance to assist anyone who is involved in operating vessels in extreme cold conditions. The Club reminds people involved in doing so that operating vessels in icy conditions requires a unique set of skills and precautions to ensure the safety of both the ship and crew.


In order to thoroughly prepare ships, crew, and cargo for extreme cold conditions, it is strongly recommended that classification societies, flag and coast states, equipment manufacturers, hull and machinery insurers, training facilities, and other relevant stakeholders are fully consulted with.


The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017. The artic polar waters for which the Polar Code applies are defined in Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter XIV. Shipowners should not operate in areas where the Polar Code applies unless their ship is certified in accordance with its provisions. Even where not applicable, the provisions of the Polar Code may still be helpful and used as guidance when developing shipowners’ procedures for operating in extreme cold areas.


The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have published the Guidelines for the Development of a Polar Water Operational Manual which provides advice on how to prepare an operational manual in accordance with the Polar Code.


The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Guide for Vessels Operating in low Temperature Environments provides more detailed operational and technical advice that could be taken into consideration. However, a ship’s own classification society should also be consulted. The flag state of the ship should also be consulted to determine whether they have any special requirements for ships trading in extreme cold environments.


100 | ISSUE 107 | MAR 2024 | THE REPORT


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